Why was Strabanea haven for killer?

DUP MLA Lord Morrow quizzed Mr Ford on the Lifford-native’s seeming unhindered existence in Strabane since 2003 despite the fact that he killed mother and daughter Anne and Annie Gillespie in the grounds of Sligo Hospital in 1988 when they were visiting a relative.

In 1989 he was found “guilty but insane” of the killings and it was ordered that he be kept in custody as a criminal lunatic and detained in the Central Mental Hospital until the pleasure of the Government of Ireland was known.

But in the mid-1990s the then Justice Irish Minister Nora Owen authorised a limited programme of outings for Gallagher, accompanied by mental health staff at first, and at a later stage with members of his family. It was during one such outing that he absconded and fled to England in 2000.

Last month Gallagher unexpectedly handed himself in to the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin after 12 years on the run. The double murderer had been living in Strabane since 2003.

Now Mr Ford has confirmed that he has discussed the issue with his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland Alan Shatter. He said he would inform the Assembly of his Department’s position once the case had been fully examined.

He stated: “John Gallagher was tried in the Republic of Ireland for the murder of his former girlfriend and her mother in 1988. He was found guilty but insane and was committed to a mental hospital in Dublin.

“In 2000 he absconded to England and subsequently he moved to Strabane. Last month he returned voluntarily to hospital in Dublin. Any application for an extradition warrant to the Republic of Ireland would be a matter for the Irish authorities to consider in the first instance and would be subject to their own legislation.

“I have recently discussed the case with the Minister for Justice and Equality. Given its cross-jurisdictional nature, I am looking into the circumstances of the case and the legal issues involved. I will inform the Assembly as soon as I am in a position to do so.”

Irish Justice Minister Alan Shatter recently hinted Gallagher could be free within a few months.

“It is possible he could be released within a few weeks, within a few months. I don’t know what decision the Heath Review Board will take in regards his current mental health, it’s not something I would be qualified to make an assessment on nor would it be appropriate, ” he commented.

He said Gallagher was entitled to apply to the independent Mental Health Review Board for release.

“Under that statutory provision they make that decision based on an assessment of his mental health,” stated Mr Shatter..